Any flu virus makes a person feel pretty miserable for sometimes up to a week in some cases. The flu is always very contagious to well people around you, and is primarily a respiratory illness. Symptoms of the flu are such as these:

1. A fever of at least 101 or better

2. Coughing a lot, sometimes deeply other times the cough is more dry and hacking

3. Too tired to function (fatigue feelings)

4. Nasal congestion

5. Sick to the stomach with other signs like vomiting and diarrhea

6. Feeling achy

7. A sick headache

Many people that have other medical conditions such as diabetes, as a good example, get a flu vaccine every year for protection.

There are also various antiviral drugs out there that can make your flu virus milder and keep secondary viruses from multiplying. They are best used as soon as possible when the initial symptoms of the flu virus sets in.I think it is a good idea to call your doctor or child's doctor for any of these drugs I am mentioning here before the flu takes hold and gets ahead of you.

Drugs available total about four different kinds now. One of them that is widely popular now in treating Swine is Tamiflu. Tamiflu can treat both Influenza A and B virus types. Babies of one year old and all other people can take this medicine.

Another antiviral drug is Relenza, also widely prescribed for people age 7 and older  to help treat different types of flu viruses. It can be used in a child of age 5 and other people for preventive purposes as well.

Flumadine is another drug that doctors are prescribing which can be used for treating flu virus type A in people that are at least age 13 or older.

And the fourth drug that can be used for flu is Symmetrel. Symmetrel can be used to treat only influenza A in babies that are a year old, along with other people.

In taking the proper care of your flu besides taking the proper antiviral drugs, you need to rest and relax from all usual activities and let your body recover.

It is important to stay hydrated as well. Drink liquids such as Gatorade or Coke. Keep the drinks at room temperature if you have an upset stomach. Cold drinks will only upset the stomach more. Also drink slowly, a few sips at a time.

If you smoke, try not to while having the flu. It will only worsen a respiratory virus all the more!

Tylenol helps fever and is safe for children. Never give children aspirins since they can cause Reye's Syndrome. Tylenol is a great fever reliever that can be used with all ages.

If your flu causes these symptoms, get help quickly:

1. Deep and unrelenting cough where you can hardly breathe

2. Trouble catching your breath or you cannot get a breath

3. Your skin is turning blue from breathing struggles and coughing

4. You can't hold any fluids whatsoever

5. Extremely high fever of 103 or better

These symptoms need medical attention as they could be a sign of other underlying medical issues. Dehydration can cause death easily, and is how death can occur from flu, especially with the elderly.

Above all, it is essential to care for yourself, and do what you need to in order to recover from the flu, also following doctor's instructions.